SOLANACE^. r298 CAPSICUM. 



gnawed by insects. Peduncles branching into a sort of umbel, from the side 

 of the stem, generally remote from the leaves. Flowers white, anthers 

 yellow. Berries globose, black. It is reputed poisonous, but used medicinal- 

 ly. Flowers in summer. Ann. Black JViglUshade. 



3. S. TUBERO'SUM. — iJoo< tuberous; s^em herbaceous ; segments of the 

 leaves unequal, the alternate ones minute; flowers subcorynibed ; corolla 

 5-angled. This most valuable plant is supposed to be a native of S. America, 

 ■where it still grows wild. Although it now constitutes so large a portion of 

 the food of civilized man, it was scarcely known until the 17th century, and 

 was not extensively cultivated before the middle of the 18th. The varieties 

 of the potato are very numerous, differing in their time of ripening, quality, 

 color, form, size, &c. New varieties are readily procured by sowing the seeds, 

 which, with care, will produce good tubers the third year. Common Potato. 



4. S. Lycospe'RSICUM. — Hairy ; stem herbaceous, weak ; /fffres un- 

 equally pinnatifid, segments cut, glaucous beneath ; fruit torulose, furrowed, 

 smooth. This plant resembles the potato in its general aspect. It grows 2 

 feet high, with jagged leaves, greenish yellow flowers, and an unpleasant 

 odor. The fruit is large and abundant, with acute furrows, at first green, 

 becoming when ripe of a beautiful red. This plant has recently come into 

 high repute, and its cultivation is rapidly extending. The fruit is prepared in 

 various ways, for sauces, stews, &c., having an agreeable acid taste. Pre- 

 served in vinegar with spices it makes a good pickle, and prepared in a certain 

 way with sugar it forms " au excellent substitute for figs." Ann. Tomato. 



p. fruit without furrows, not torulose, golden yellow and much smaller. 



5. S. MeLONGE'NA. — Stem prickly ; leaves ovate, subsinuate, downy, 

 prickly; flowers many-parted. An annual, herbaceous, branching plant, 

 about 2 feet high. The fruit, with which it is heavily laden, consists of egg- 

 fihaped berries, from the size of an egg to that of an ordinary water melon, 

 smooth, and of a glossy purple. It is prepared for food in various ways, and 

 considered wholesome and delicious eating. Like the tomato it is cultivated 

 from the seed sown early in warm, dry and mellow soil. Egg-plant. 



6. S. Pseudo-Capsicum. — stem shrubby ; Zearcs oblong-lanceolate, 

 subrepand; 'peduncles 1-flowered. opposite the leaves. A small ornamental 

 shrub, native of Madeira, cultivated. Stem 2 — 4 feet high, branching into a 

 symmetrical summit. Leaves dark evergreen, smooth and shining, about 2 

 inches long. Flowers white, with orange anthers, drooping, succeeded by a 

 few scarlet, globose berries of the size of small cherries. Jerusalem Cherry. 



2. C A' PS I CUM. 

 Caljx 5-cleft, erect, persistent; corolla rotate, 5-cleft; 

 anthers connivent ; fruit capsular, dry, inflated. 



Gr. jco-TTTa), to bite ; on account of the taste of the fruit. Herbs (rarely 

 shrubby). Fls. mostly axillary and solitary. Cor. of a very short tube and a 

 plaited limb. Caps. 2— 3-celled, Seeds flat, very acrid. 



1. C. a'NNUUM. — Stem herhaceoua ; fruit oblong, on smooth stalks, 

 erect or pendulous. An herbaceous, blanching annual, from India, cultivated 

 for its fruit, whose properties and uses are well known. July. JRed Pepper. 



2. C. BACCA'TUM. — Stem shrubby ; fruit globose, erect, in pairs, on 

 smooth stalks. July— Sept. Bird Pepper. 



3. C. FRUTE'sceNS. — Stem erect, shrubby; fruit oblong, obtuse; 

 peduncles smooth. This with the last species chiefly furnishes the Cayenne 

 pepper oi' the shops. July— Sept. Shrubby Pepper. 



